Woman Accused of Stealing Nearly $8K from Cumming Elementary PTO Turns Herself In

The woman accused of stealing nearly $8,000 from the Cumming Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) turned herself into authorities at the Forsyth County Detention Center on Monday afternoon.

Jamie Garfield, 36, who served for several years as the school's PTO treasurer was released hours later on a $13,521.82 bond, according to a jail spokesperson.

Sgt. Bryan Zimbardi with the Cumming Police Department said warrants were issued out on Garfield for the felony of theft by taking in the amount of $7,911.82. The charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years of imprisonment and no less than one year.

"The reported amount of the theft was substantially larger than that, however the remainder of the money is still under active investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division," he said.

What he didn't say was the total amount of money that Garfield is suspected of stealing. That number will not be released until the investigation is complete.

Zimbardi believes that Garfield has retained an attorney and that she will have a court appearance.

According to the police news release, Garfield is suspected of stealing those PTO funds over the course of 21 months.

The thefts were discovered when Board Members of the Cumming Elementary School PTO became aware that one of their accounts was overdrawn, leading them to approach Cumming PD regarding an investigation of suspected criminal activity.

Authorities became aware of the theft following a police report that was filed on August 5, 2010, according to Zimbardi.

"As far as I know it was reported almost within 24 hours of discovery," Zimbardi said.

The Forsyth County Board of Education issued this e-mail to Cumming Patch:

"The Cumming Elementary School PTO is an outstanding organization of dedicated volunteers. They work tirelessly to support our students and teachers, providing family events to build a strong school community, and raise funds for additional learning resources and student equipment.

When the accounting discrepancies of the former PTO treasurer were discovered in 2010 by the school principal and PTO board, the Cumming Police Department was contacted immediately. Since that time the PTO has reinforced its monthly financial review with additional oversight and annually completes an external audit.

Though the PTO is a separate organization that is not under the school district’s financial controls or procedures, we are always saddened when there are allegations of behavior by adults that negatively impact children in any way."